Data center virtualization and its economic implications for the companies

In the current situation of the economic crisis, when companies target budget cuttings in a context of an explosive data growth, the IT community must evaluate potential technology developments not only on their technical advantages, but on their economic effects as well.data centre; virtualization; tiered storage; provisioning software; unified computing.

Virtualization: an old concept in a new approach

Virtualization technology is transforming today’s IT community, offering new possi-bilities to improve the performance and efficiency of IT infrastructure by a dynamic mapping of the PC resources, enabling to run multiple applications and operating systems on a single physical system. Virtualization also offers high availability and error recovery solutions by encapsulating entire systems into single files that can be replicated and restored on any desti-nation machine. This paper brings new elements related to the concept of virtualization, presenting the princi-ples, the new architectures and the advantages of the virtualization. We make also a brief comparison between the PC’s functional structure before and after the virtualization. Finally, we present licensed software to create and run multiple virtual machines on a personal com-puter

The Metamorphosis of the Mainframe Computer: The Superserver

Mainframe computers, which once dominated the computer hardware and software markets, have become increasingly unpopular with users. Major mainframe manufacturers have felt this decline in user demand. In 1994 mainframe computers amounted to only about 30 percent of IBM\u27s total computer sales, compared with 90 percent in 1984. UnisysCorporation announced in 1994 that it would entirely discontinue manufacturing its line of mainframe computers, electing to concentrate on more profitable areas of the computer market. Despite a trend where users abandon mainframe solutions, computer processing demand by business, industry, government, and private users is growing at a geometric rate. Unfortunately, the growing demand for computer services has been imperfectly sustained by smaller-scale but more user-friendly computers, especially networks of personal computers. However, evidence suggests that the decline of the mainframe computer will soon end. Based on this information, we believe that the mainframe will reemerge to prominence. However, it will do so in a transformed state--as a superserver. In its metamorphosis, the superserver will replace the general purpose processor as a multi-purpose processor which will perform a broad spectrum of functions, including functions of the legacy system, the database server, and the windows serve

Revisiting Client/Server Computing

The role of the Information Technology department is changing as it continues to mature and adapt to changes in technology, much of that change dealing with its interaction with corporate end-users. IT departments must continue to move in a more user friendly direction or they are going to encounter serious political problems with top management. The increased interest in cloud computing, green computing, and in outsourcing are further indicators of the problems that IT departments are currently facing.   Information Technology departments must approach client/server with a clear view of the lasting business benefits that it can bring rather than opposing or resisting the migratio

Client/server : what exactly is the problem?

Includes bibliographical references.Various organizations have made a commitment to migrate their systems to a new client/server architecture. Due to it's diverse nature, many problems have arisen inherent to the way the system works. For instance, the use of different tools and platforms to accomplish various tasks is required. Getting these tools to work well together in disparate situations is a key issue. How can a company determine which tools, platforms, and systems changes are desired? One way to do this is to communicate; share the information concerning the problems one encounters with others who find themselves in the same boat. Therefore, a survey was distributed focusing within six facets of client/server application development: performance, capacity, scalability, portability, connectivity, and functionality. The objective: to discover various common links and/or connections that contribute to successful client/server application development The result: information was gathered from the people who are out there right now producing it. The four page survey was disseminated to over 500 information systems professionals throughout the domestic United States. Participants were selected by the respondent's title( manager or director of MIS or Systems & Programming), the corporation's listed systems, and were obtained from the Spring 1995 Computing IS Managers Guide. The design of the survey was critical in obtaining specific, relevant information. Utilizing the inverted funnel sequencing style, the task of getting a given respondent to open up was accomplished. The respondent contributed the answers as opposed to the survey suggesting them. 15% of the surveys (74 of 500) were returned; 40 of which the respondent indicated no background in client/server and 34 of which were completed in full. Through analysis of these surveys, I have gained a greater appreciation for exactly how diverse client/server really is. I was able to discover some common threads in each area. This paper is an excellent starting point to further analyze client/server problem areas.B.S. (Bachelor of Science